Tell CongressThere is nothing Christian about taking food from the poor

Posted: Oct. 3, 2013

Stung by the outcry against their pointless political stunt, House Republicans are now desperately trying to reopen the Smithsonian and our National Parks. But these politicians, who got elected by calling themselves pro-life Christians, continue to take food out of the mouths of hungry babies, force poor parents to miss work because child care is shut down, and even jeopardize military death benefits for widows and orphans.

If this reckless bunch spent more time with their Bibles and less time scheming to keep people from getting health insurance, they might have noticed James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress.”

This time, let's not let Congress get away with wrapping themselves up in the Bible while ignoring its contents. A diverse group of Christian leaders including Jim Wallis from Sojourners, Sister Simone Campbell of the Nuns on the Bus, and two former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican just released a powerful statement condemning those perpetrating the shutdown, saying "There is nothing 'pro-life' or Christian about taking food away from pregnant women and babies."

If we all add our names to their statement, we can make sure it gets seen far and wide — and the members of Congress who call themselves Christians may finally have to start answering for their deeply unchristian behavior.

Sign the petition:

As Christians and citizens, we are appalled that elected officials are pursuing an extreme ideological agenda at the expense of the working poor and vulnerable families.

We especially challenge those Members of Congress who call themselves pro-life to cease their political posturing on Capitol Hill. Shutting down the government in a futile effort to defund or delay the Affordable Care Act will hurt low-income pregnant women and infants who receive vital nutrition support. The Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will receive no additional funds during the shutdown.

There is nothing “pro-life” or Christian about taking food away from pregnant women and babies. It is hypocritical and shameful for those who tout their commitment to family values to show such callous indifference.

The shutdown hurts all Americans, including seniors who will see “Meals on Wheels” cut, preschoolers who will be turned away from Head Start, and public servants who will be locked out of their workplaces without pay as bills pile up. This failure of political leadership and responsible governance exposes our nation’s misplaced values.

Struggling families, seniors and pregnant women don’t deserve to be victims of a manufactured crisis in Washington.